NMMA Canada announced the appointment of Marie-France MacKinnon as executive director . MacKinnon officially joined NMMA Canada in May , and will oversee the association ’ s strategic and advocacy efforts in Canada . She is a respected association executive with over 25 years of experience working in public affairs and communications in the private and public sector .

“ We are excited to welcome Marie-France to the team ,” said Frank Hugelmeyer , president , NMMA . “ She comes to NMMA Canada with over two decades of developing and executing government relations plans to drive results in public policy . Her thought-leadership will be essential to leading strategic initiatives for NMMA Canada and ensuring the growth of the recreational boating industry .”

MacKinnon most recently served as senior vice president of Public Affairs and Communications for the Canadian Meat Council , where she advocated for the labor challenges faced by

Marie-France MacKinnon

the agri-food industry . She secured the first-ever federal Agri-Food Immigration Pilot and obtained an increase to the Temporary Foreign Worker Cap for her members , making her a voice for agri-food labor issues across Canada .

“ I ’ m honored to have been chosen by NMMA to lead the strategic priorities for NMMA Canada ,” noted MacKinnon . “ I look forward to working closely with the leadership team , Canadian members and industry stakeholders across the country and in Quebec to protect and grow recreational boating .”

Before the Canadian Meat Council , she held public affairs , media relations and communications positions within the for-profit and non-profit sectors . MacKinnon is bilingual and lives in Ottawa .

NMMA reports successful 2023 American Boating Congress

The 2023 American Boating Congress ( ABC ) concluded yesterday in Washington , D . C ., after three days of policy conversations , panel discussions , marine industry updates , conversations with members of Congress , and a day spent on Capitol Hill advocating on behalf of the recreational marine industry .

On day two , attendees engaged in discussions with Representatives Garret Graves ( R-LA-06 ), John Joyce ( R-PA-13 ) and Rudy Yakym ( R-IN- 02 ), who spoke about the importance of technology solutions and real-time data monitoring for marine mammal protection , including for the North Atlantic right whale .

Keynote speaker , POLITICO journalist Jonathan Martin , provided an overview on the state of play in Washington , D . C . Members had the opportunity to ask Martin questions about topics ranging from the polarization in Congress to the health of our democracy .

Day two closed with the Congressional Boating Caucus briefing at the NMMA Product

Showcase , which was back for its second year . Opening the briefing , Rep . Nancy Mace ( R-SC- 01 ) shared what boating means to South Carolina and her fond memories of time spent on the water . Attendees and staffers had the opportunity to test products on The Wharf .

Attendees were at Capitol Hill on Wednesday where they met with lawmakers and staff to discuss policy issues impacting recreational boating and fishing . Members of Congress took center stage and shared insight into some of the challenges federal lawmakers are tackling . Attendees engaged in discussions with Representatives Peter Stauber ( R-MN-08 ) and Daniel Webster ( R-FL- 14 ), as well as Senators Kevin Cramer ( R-ND ) and Joe Manchin ( D-WV ).

NMMA presented Senator John Boozman ( R-AR ) with the Legislator of the Year Award . In addition to serving on the Congressional Boating Caucus , Senator Boozman continues to be an advocate for boaters and anglers , most recently cosponsoring and introducing bills such as the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong ( LAKES ) Act which will better fund the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE ) and allow for the agency to retain and reinvest its recreation fees . He also championed America ’ s Outdoor Recreation Act , an outdoor recreation legislative package that invests in public lands and waters .

www . boatingindustry . com june 2023

7